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Letters to the Editor - Oct. 26

Posted:
10/26/2011 01:00:00 AM MDT

My unbroken promise

From the beginning of my run for mayor of Longmont, I have stayed with my commitment to conduct a clean and positive campaign. I had absolutely no knowledge of or involvement in either the independent expenditure flier or the dog story published in the local newspapers. My focus has always been and continues to be on getting to know the people of Longmont, having them get to know me and working for the prosperity of our community.

I would never condone a political attack ad or bringing up of that year-old unfortunate dog story incident. I have run my campaign cleanly with integrity and my campaign committee has followed my example. I'm disappointed in the timing of these events, but even more importantly, I am feeling discouraged at the tone of negativity that we are seeing in this election process. I know how being personally attacked feels. My goal was to run my campaign with honesty and integrity and that is exactly what I have done.

DENNIS COOMBS

Longmont

Don't be fooled by sleight of hand

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I have been intrigued by "Brain Games," a program running on the National Geographic Channel. They show you a lot of optical illusions, including some about misdirection. What you see can be affected by where your concentration is focused. I've noticed a lot of that this election season in regard to Ballot Question 2A.

The Longmont Area Economic Council urges Longmont voters to look at the facts and focus on the issue at hand. The LAEC board has taken a position to support Ballot Question 2A, just as they did in 2009. Why? They care about having a business environment that is conducive to business growth, an environment that allows maximum flexibility so Longmont can be as competitive as possible. It is the same reason they support a rail-served industrial park and extension of the airport runway. We need all the tools available to us so we can take advantage of the business opportunities that come our way.

The voting members of LAEC's board are all private-sector members. They are focused on what is best economically for Longmont. They have no particular bias or ax to grind, and they do not believe that public-sector answers are always the best ones. But their objectivity allows them to recognize that telecommunications capacity and flexibility are important to business, and any effort that increases that flexibility is positive for our community. Ballot Question 2A is in the best interest of Longmont residents, and that is why the economic council supports it.

So don't be distracted by $275,000 worth of sleight of hand. Keep your eye on the ball and vote for what you believe is the best option for the residents of Longmont (i.e. you). Vote for the flexibility Longmont needs to stay competitive.

JOHN CODY

Longmont

Abortion not a city issue

I find it interesting, if not distressing, that so many folks persist in using the abortion debate as the vehicle for determining whom they're going to vote for, regardless of the office. Brad Jolly, in his guest column, suggested that we must all "vote for those who would protect life," then goes on to suggest that "the strongest supporters of life are Bryan Baum for mayor, and Bonnie Finley in Ward 3."

Now, I ask you: Will any member of the City Council in Longmont ever have the occasion to vote on any issue that deals with abortion? The answer is an unequivocal "No."

I'm a registered Republican who totally supports a woman's right to choose, and I believe that government ought to completely stay away from issues related to women's bodies and their personal reasons for needing/wanting an abortion.

I plan to vote in the upcoming city elections based upon my chosen candidates' thoughts about water and sewer issues, their support or lack thereof of our fine police and fire departments and other related city matters, not some contrived, phony-baloney litmus test on an issue over which City Council has absolutely no interest or control.

TOM BERLINGER

Longmont

Hansen, a stand-up guy!

There have been quite a few letters to the editor in my local newspaper telling voters which candidates we should or should not vote for. Some letters unfairly characterize several of the incumbent candidates as not caring about their community. I would like to set the record straight and tell you why candidate Brian Hansen should be re-elected to the Longmont City Council.

Brian Hansen is an exceptional council member. He has worked tirelessly for his constituents of Ward 1 for nearly four years. On council, he looks out for the "little guy" by voting for what's in the best interest of the people, not for the special interests who only want a bigger piece of the pie for themselves.

He is polite; he does not talk over or interrupt his colleagues on council if he disagrees with them. Instead, he listens to their opinions and then respectfully asserts his point of view on an issue.

Brian is working to retain Longmont's high quality of life by supporting businesses that develop clean energy, alternative energy and conservation technologies and that will bring primary jobs to Longmont. He wholeheartedly supports our trails and open space program because he believes it makes Longmont a livable city.

Brian Hansen walks his talk. He has limited contributions to his campaign to $10 per donor. He is concerned about how special interest groups and their cash have unduly influenced Longmont's elections.

Brian is a smart, thoughtful, fair and a decent person. He is a stand-up guy. Please vote for Brian Hansen so he can continue to serve the Longmont community for another four years.

RUBY BOWMAN

Longmont

Message for the mobs

The "flash mobs" trying to occupy Wall Street should be reminded of a Well-written quotation published in 1916:

You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.

You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.

You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.

You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.

You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.

You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence.

You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.

Rev. William John Henry Boetcker

I might add to that lesson: "You can not convince me of the evils of greed by employing loathing, envy and self-pity."

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